On August 28, 2012 Shatil, initiative for social  change in Israel, implemented with the support of the Hanns Seidel Foundation a day-long seminar in Tel Aviv, setting the ground for collaborative efforts to promote a more socially-just State Budget for the year 2013. More than 70 activists participated in the seminar.

The day began with a panel discussion moderated by the executive director of Agenda, Anat Saragusti. Professor Yossi Zeira, Hebrew University, Haim Oron, former member of the Knesset, and Shaul Amsterdamski, journalist at Calcalist, discussed the following topics in the context of the upcoming State Budget: deficit (objecting its large increase), taxation (with a preference for direct over indirect taxes) and investment in infrastructures (which panelists strongly favored). Furthermore, the prospect of national elections prior to submission of the Budget to the Knesset's approval was pointed out, thus emphasizing the importance to broach this issue in the context of elections.

In workgroups the participants assessed the framework for the promotion of the budget and specific related issues like housing, employment, education, welfare and environment. The seminar continued with presentations of the recommendations, covering topics like strategy, lobby, media, grassroots organizing and the Amendments Law in the context of the emerging 2013 State Budget Forum.

Many participants reported that the panel discussion – along with the workgroups – helped to consolidate a framework for the forum's decision-making which, in turn, will enable organized and effective efforts of the civil-society to help shape the State Budget for the year 2013.